In March 2006, 20 years ago, the Minister of Science Policy announced the foundation of the Solar-Terrestrial Centre of Excellence (STCE). The STCE would lift the Sun-Space-Earth research to a higher level by uniting experts in the field. The STCE would become a service centre for the government, citizens and industries vulnerable for the impact of the physical processes triggered by solar activity.
Twenty years later, the STCE has indeed a leading role in this very specific knowledge-based economy, space technology and services and works following a client-tailored methodology.
The STCE is the place for research, services and education about Sun-Space-Earth and their interactions. It builds on the fundaments of the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium and the Royal Observatory of Belgium. The centre can rely on a rich history and expertise in solar and terrestrial observations and measurements, both on ground and from space. The STCE connects to users through the Space Weather Service Centre which issues daily space weather bulletins and warnings in case of space storms. The STCE also runs a Space Weather Education Centre which is supported by the firm academic and service experience of more than 100 people. The education centre has welcomed already more than 300 professionals for whom their understanding of space weather makes a difference.
